Several 2022 NBA draft class members have already shown the potential to be franchise cornerstones. Unfortunately, the No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren suffered a season-ending foot injury before his debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

While they have yet to hit 50 games apiece and have a lot of room to grow, some are enticing as potential future All-Stars:

Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets, Pick No. 3

Even top draft picks come into the league and, at times, look like they are in over their heads. Remember, many are teenagers playing against the best talent in the world. It’s OK if they don’t look incredible on Day 1.

Smith was widely scouted as a three-point shooter with shot-blocking/elite defensive potential. While he gave some early glimpses, his consistency and efficiency were lacking. 

Since Thanksgiving, Smith jr has looked more like the player he was touted to be. According to Cleaning the Glass, his shooting accuracy has increased from every spot. Over the last 16 games, Smith has shot 39 percent from beyond the arc, including 50 percent on corner threes. That’s a significant leap from his 29 and 26 percent, respectively, through the first 15 games. The shots are the same. He’s just more confident and is knocking them down.

His defensive ability will increase as his body gets stronger. His desire to compete stands out, as shown in his battle against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in Houston. Smith didn’t have his best game statistically, but neither did Antetokoumpo. Standing side-by-side like a before and after picture of the two-time MVP, Smith’s effort helped propel the Rockets to an upset victory.

These are the games that help establish your place defensively. Having the confidence to battle eye-to-eye with arguably the league’s best player should help the young forward continue to develop into an impactful and versatile forward in this new generation of NBA athletes. 

Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers, Pick No. 6

Mathurin, 19, walked into the NBA with a confidence that he could back up. You can appreciate the swagger he told Ben Golliver of the Washington Post, saying Lebron James would have to prove that he was better than him. He landed in a perfect situation to show the league what he could do.

His role as a sixth man has allowed him to play to his strengths and contribute to a fun team putting together several quality wins. He looks attentive, coachable, and poised to play within Coach Rick Carlisle’s offense. 

He has positive chemistry with Carlilse and his assistants, continually talking to his staff during time outs. It shows he’s putting in the work and trying to learn to be a better player. The coaches are fueling that confidence and getting him to the spots where he can be most successful. 

It helps to play alongside a generous point guard like Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton wants to pass, and Mathurin intends to score. They complement each other well, and the duo has built a quick foundation of trust.

Players of his draft pedigree and talent tend to struggle with shot selection, but Mathurin seems to have a mature sense of when to make the extra pass instead of forcing an ill-advised shot.

When the Pacers played Brooklyn Nets in late November, Mathurin showed the poise to shake off a challenging game to spark a fourth-quarter comeback. With 10 minutes left, Mathurin had scored just four points on 11 attempts–but he finished with a flourish, scoring 16 points without missing a shot or free throw. He’s also a defensive contributor and a player you can count on to fight in crunch-time possessions. 

Mathurin is a strong wing that is always on the attack. He’s only going to get more difficult to guard as he develops. He’s a standout rookie and part of why the Pacers have been better than many expected this season.

Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons, Pick No. 5

Jaden Ivey, 19, was the first guard taken in the draft. He looks like the perfect fit stylistically with the Pistons’ 2021 No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham (who is out for the year with a shin injury). Cunningham is more of a methodical offensive creator, while Ivey uses power, speed and agility to put constant pressure on the defense.

With Killian Hayes running the offense with Cunningham sidelined, Ivey can still play to his strengths and not have to be overworked as the primary ball handler. Not to say Ivey won’t grow into a primary ball handler. He remains unselfish, and his playmaking can look effortless. Specifically, the spread pick and roll with fellow rookie Jalen Duren can be special. 

For now, his focus is playing off of other creators like Bojan Bogdanovic, Cunningham and Hayes. He takes advantage of these possessions by becoming a great cutter and rebounder. When possessions become stagnant, Ivey cuts at the right time to get an open short, mid-range shot in the paint. He creates scoring opportunities and second chances by movement.

He plays above the rim with finesse but does not shy away from contact. Over 40 percent of his shots are at the rim, and he is top-5 at his position at drawing fouls per Cleaning the Glass. 

Ivey will continue to improve, but he’s not using his minutes on a struggling Pistons team for reps. He wants to win and is willing to get his hands dirty. When the roster gets healthy and improves over time, Ivey will be a vital part of Detroit’s eventual success.

Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings, Pick No. 4

Murray, 22, is precisely the type of basketball player the Kings needed. Murray is GOOD! He entered the draft ready to help a team win, and Sacramento is desperate to end its playoff drought.

Murray’s individual performance has been inconsistent, which is typical for a rookie. His impact on the Kings has been crucial. Murray is sixth in usage rate in rotation. He helps his teammates by getting to the right spots, ready to shoot. He is an unassumingly confident player that can be mislabelled as a role player when he has star potential.

He fills his role next to De’Aron Fox and Domantas Sabonis by giving them space to operate. When he gets the pass, he is prepared to make a play. Of all of his field goals made, 89 percent are assisted. His teammates are looking for him, and he’s paying them back by finishing quickly. He is shooting 39 percent on non-corner threes.

Murray began his pro career by lighting up Summer League as the primary option. He won’t be that initially in the NBA, but he can be over time–and as a role player, he impacts winning by putting pressure on defenses by making the right play and knocking down shots. 

Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic, Pick No. 1

Most players need time to adjust to the NBA, but the league has to adjust to Banchero. He’s a massive point forward, a gifted scorer and a mismatch for most defenders. 

Banchero looks the part of a star wing. He’s already getting to the free-throw line at a high rate, including going 13 of 14 in a close win over the Los Angeles Clippers in early December. Most of his attempts are in the midrange (42 percent) and at the rim (40 percent). His shot profile is similar to Kawhi Leonard’s, operating primarily from the middle of the floor. He uses his size to shoot and dunk over smaller defenders and his quickness to blow past larger, slower ones.

The Magic have a unique roster with tall, versatile players. Listed at 6’10”, Banchero runs pick and roll with 7’2″ Bol Bol. He’s looking over defenders and dropping dimes. Comfortable working out of the post, he’s hitting cutters with the pass with an impressive touch.

Banchero and teammate Franz Wagner (looking like a modern-day Manu Ginobili) will give opposing defenses problems for years to come. The pair are building blocks that the Magic have been searching for and potential multi-year All-Stars.